Aging Process and Associated Conditions (Week 2) Flashcards
circadian rhythm
physical, mental, health behaviors that follow 24hr cycle - responding primarily to light and darkness
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)
controls the internal clock by starting the release of hormone melatonin in the evening and cortisol in the morning
Melatonin
health-promoting functions - low melatonin is a sign that the SCN is dysfunctioning; can lead to illnesses including cancer diabetes and heart disease
rods and cones
photoreceptors in the eyes that provide concious vision
retinal ganglion cells
photoreceptors the communicate directly with the brain and are responsive to the blue part of light
Younger population exposed to blue light experience (3)
- increased alertness
- decreased sleepiness
- improved mood
cataract surgery
removes the clouded lenses and implants clear intraocular lenses
Post cataract surgery changes(3)
decreased insomnia
decreased daytime sleepiness
improved reaction time
macular degeneration
age-related eye disease that causes vision loss
Majority of older adults are
female
Men are married longer because
men die earlier than women leaving them widowers
Highest cause of death
heart disease
young old
65-74
old
75-84
old-old
85-99
oldest-old
100+
sandwich generation
adults in their 30s and 40s raising their kids and taking care of their parents
Annual cost of physical frailty
$54-80 Billion and rising
morbidity
absence of health - disease
co-morbidities
more than one disease that affects each other ex - COPD and CHF or Diabetes and heart disease
older adults function representing more than the loss of the physiological system
Continue occupations by adapting to the loss
older adults function representing less than the loss of the physiological system
Stops occupations and activities causing more comorbidities
Hayflick Limit Theory
cells stop reproducing at a certain age and organs start dying at a genetically programmed time
Damage Inflicted Model
the body accumulates all the damage done to it through the years and can no longer repair; loss of function and system failure (non-genetic)
Sarcopenia(4)
- decrease in the number of muscle fibers and decrease in the size of muscle fibers = Muscle wasting
- Decrease in firing rates
- Decrease in power
- Increase time in contracting
Which hormones impact muscle contraction?
GH
DHEA
Testosterone
Muscle power
the ability to contract and move quickly
How do we counter sarcopenia?
resistive exercises
Loss of number of muscle fibers means that we can’t _____
grow muscle (look decreased; normal part of aging)
After 40yrs old our bones change by _______
increased absorption compared to laying down
compact (cortical) bone
hard skeleton
cancellous (trabecular) bone
fibrous strands at ends of bones
Who loses more bone mass?
Women 1%/yr (men .5%/yr)
What increases the process that deteriorates bone while impairing cells that manufacture bone?
Menopause
Interventions for bone loss (3)
- calcium supplementation
- medication
- weight-bearing activities
Osteopenia bone mineral density = _______
-1.0 to -2.5 (on it’s way to osteoporosis
Osteoporosis bone mineral density = __________
> 2.5
osteomalacia
pathologically unable to lay down new bone